Heart Disease

When moments matter, count on us

Cardiac care has evolved rapidly over recent years. Today, there are so
many ways to prevent and treat heart disease—especially with the
help of our integrated care team and the most advanced technology.

We’ve been recognized by the American Heart Association for years
because of our dedication to speed and positive patient outcomes in treating
serious heart disease.

Angina is a painful or tight feeling in your chest that occurs when the
heart doesn’t get enough oxygen. Angina can be caused by coronary
artery disease (CAD), and can be a warning of a heart attack (acute myocardial
infarction). Symptoms include lightheadedness, shortness of breath, nausea,
belly (abdominal) pain or unexplained sweating.

Aortic valve stenosis refers to a problem with the opening of the aortic
valve, which can lead to weakened heart muscle or thicker ventricle muscle.
Possible symptoms include dizziness and fainting, trouble breathing or
rapid breathing, chest pain, trouble feeding (in infants) or tiring easily
during exercise.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common type of arrhythmia, which includes
any problem with the speed or pattern of the heartbeat. If untreated,
AFib can increase the risk of blood clots or stroke. Symptoms include
a fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, shortness of breath,
tiredness, fainting or chest pain.

Coronary artery disease begins when fat-like substances and cholesterol,
such as plaque, build up along the artery wall. Because of this buildup,
arteries have trouble supplying blood to the heart. Symptoms include pressure,
tightness, achiness, or pain in your chest, jaw, neck, back or arm.

Heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction or STEMI, occurs when
your heart is starved for oxygen. It must be treated immediately. If you
have these symptoms, call 911 right away. This includes chest discomfort
in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, uncomfortable
pressure, squeezing, burning, fullness, tightness, or pain, discomfort
in other areas of the upper body, pain or discomfort in one or both arms,
the back, neck, jaw or stomach, shortness of breath, a cold sweat, nausea
or lightheadedness.

The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. When the heart
is not able to pump as well as it should, blood and fluid may back up
into the lungs, making other parts of the body unable to function normally.
Symptoms include shortness of breath, trouble breathing at night, especially
when you lie down, swelling in the legs and feet or in the belly (abdomen),
becoming easily fatigued, irregular or rapid heartbeat, weakness, lightheadedness
or swelling of the neck veins.

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher,
can be treated with medicine or by making lifestyle changes. It is sometimes
referred to as the silent killer because it often has no symptoms. Frequent
blood pressure checks and appointments with your primary care provider
can help diagnose and treat hypertension sooner.

Mitral regurgitation is when blood flows backward into the heart, which
can result in fast or irregular heartbeats. Symptoms include shortness
of breath with physical activity or when lying flat, feeling tired, less
ability to exercise, awareness of your heartbeat, swelling in your legs,
abdomen and the veins in your neck, or chest pain (less common).

Mitral valve prolapse is the most common heart valve condition, resulting
from extra tissue in the valve that can prevent it from closing properly.
Symptoms include mild chest pain, pounding or racing heart (palpitations),
shortness of breath when lying down or trouble breathing with activity.

Pulmonary valve stenosis occurs when the pulmonary valve doesn’t
open all the way, blocking blood flow to the lungs. Symptoms include difficult
or rapid breathing, trouble feeding and poor weight gain in infants, and
cyanosis (skin, lips, and nails appear blue due to lack of oxygen in the blood).